Mike Kelley, R-Lamar, has not even begun his first term as 126th District representative, but he accepted more lobbyists' gifts than any other Joplin-area legislator during November, according to documents posted Saturday on the Missouri Ethics Commission website.
Thanks to the generosity of Kansas City lobbyists, Kelley accepted $390.12 in gifts from November 19-21, according to the documents. Kelley's total almost doubled his nearest competitor, Senator-elect Ron Richard, R-Joplin, and was only $12.02 less than his predecessor, Rep. Ed Emery, R-Lamar, accepted during the first 11 months of 2010.
Richard received $225.71 in gifts during November, and tops area legislators with $2,996.59 in 2010. The only other legislator to accept gifts in November was Rep. Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, with $66.48. He has received $1,131.25 worth of gifts in 2010.The four term-limited representatives, Emery, Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, Rep. Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City, and Rep. Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho, did not accept any gifts in November. Their totals for 2010 are Emery, $402.14; Mrs. Ruestman, $1,505.19; Stevenson, $1,070.17, and Wilson $426.11.
Kelley appears to have been part of a junket set up to promote Kansas City interests, according to Ethics Commission documents. He and other freshman legislators across the state were treated to goodies by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Kansas City Civic Council.
Kelley's haul included the following:
From Jason Stuart Dalen, lobbyist, Kansas City Civic Council
Nov. 19- travel, night at Westin Hotel, $27.80
Nov. 19- dinner at Union Station, $21.63
Nov. 20- lunch at Kansas City Community College, $3.01
Nov. 20- night at Westin Hotel, $27.80
Nov. 20- breakfast at Westin, 70 cents
Nov. 20- Dinner at Big Sky, $18.97
Nov. 21- Bus ride $2,67
Nov. 21- Chiefs ticket, $26.25
Nov. 21- Food at Chiefs game, $9.72
From Kristi S. Wyatt, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Nov. 20- Gift, notebook and pen, $59.58
Nov. 20- Meals, food, and beverage, $114.05
Nov. 20- Chiefs tickets, $78.75
A night at the Westin for $27.80. If that's the Westin Crown Center, that's not possible. If it's another Westin, it must be a real dive because even the super 8 runs $50 a night. And why are there Chiefs tickers on Saturday and Sunday?
ReplyDeleteDon't know about the Westin. Even though if the Kansas City interests rented a huge number of rooms and were pouring a bunch of money into the hotel, they may have received a better rate.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Chiefs tickets, the only explanations I can think of are a mistake by the lobbyist in reporting, or the tickets were presented the day before the game.
or really, who in the hell cares.....?
ReplyDeleteNot meaning to cast any aspersions, but you read this post.
ReplyDeleteCorrection.....I read the headline as i was skimming trough.....have no time for this garbage, non-news story.
ReplyDeleteTo bad you didn't check all of the area's newly elected State Reps. Bill Lant has already taken special interest money proving that he is picking up right where his buddy Marilyn left off.
ReplyDelete